The program of each person admitted to the doctoral program is designed in accordance with his or her career objectives and previous academic experience. The PhD offers two tracks. The Public Policy Analysis track offers an intense concentration in policy analysis, research methods, economics and a specialization in a particular policy field. The General Political Science track offers the Public Policy core, plus two elective subfields in American Politics, International Relations/Foreign Policy, Comparative Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, or other specialized area as arranged by the student's committee.
The Ph.D. program in political science (Public Policy Studies Option) is designed for individuals who plan university or college teaching and research careers emphasizing policy studies or who desire positions as policy analysts in government or private organizations.
One of the principal changes in the discipline of political science in recent years has been increasing attention to and involvement with public policy issues and problems. Contemporary recipients of the Ph.D., therefore, must possess a comprehensive knowledge of political science as it relates to the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies. This requires a thorough understanding of political processes and institutions; a knowledge of management tools and data analysis; competence in research methodology and statistical techniques; knowledge of particular policy problems; and, familiarity with the contributions of other disciplines, particularly economics, to policy studies. This knowledge may be applied both to U.S. domestic concerns and to the fields of international relations and comparative politics.
To assure a comprehensive view of the policy process, all doctoral students must complete 18 hours of policy core subjects. This core of courses provides an overview of the field of policy studies (P.S. 330) and in-depth seminars on the various stages of the policy process, including agenda-setting (P.S. 336), policy decision-making (P.S. 430 or P.S. 360), policy implementation (P.S. 438), policy evaluation (P.S. 435) and intergovernmental relations (P.S. 310).
Students in the doctoral program in policy studies are expected to pursue a rigorous program of study in research methods, including development of appropriate quantitative (statistical) skills. A four-course sequence within the department and one elective course either within or outside of the department fulfills this requirement.
The discipline of economics has a strong and continuing influence on public policy studies. One of the two courses required in economics must be either Intermediate or Advanced Microeconomics (Economics 211 or 310). Intermediate or Advanced Macroeconomics (Economics 212 or 311) is also recommended.
Each Ph.D. candidate is expected to develop expertise in a single policy or problem area. Courses in this area may be taken both inside and outside the Department of Political Science and should reflect a cohesive concentration of study. Policy fields that may be selected will vary according to individual interest but could include fields such as energy, health, social welfare, transportation, law and judicial policy making, the environment, political economy, political development, national security policy, human rights, or foreign policy. PS 439 taken as an MA student may be applied to the elective policy subfield.
All Ph.D. candidates must complete a 24 hour dissertation designed in accordance with the candidate's career objectives. The course credit requirements specified above indicate the minimum amount of study expected in each area. Specific requirements will vary according to individual needs and interests. The pursuit and completion of a Ph.D. degree implies more than meeting minimum course requirements.
To assure a comprehensive view of the policy process, general track doctoral students must complete 15 hours of policy core studies. This core of courses provides an overview of the field of policy studies (P.S. 330) and in-depth seminars on the various stages of the policy process, including agenda setting (P.S. 336), policy decision-making (P.S. 430 or P.S. 360), policy implementation (P.S. 438, policy evaluation (P.S. 435). PS 439, taken as an MA student, may be applied to the elective policy subfield.
Students in the doctoral program are expected to pursue a rigorous program of study in research methods, including development of appropriate quantitative (statistical) skills. A four-course sequence within the department fulfills this requirement. Under some circumstances a methods course taught outside the department may be substituted for the fourth departmental research methods course, with the approval by a majority of the student's committee. Students desiring an additional outside methods elective may also substitute an approved course for the fifth course in one of his or her substantive areas.
Each Ph.D. candidate in the general political science track is expected to develop expertise in two areas in addition to policy analysis. Areas of specialization include American Politics, Judicial Politics and Public Law, International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis, State and Local Politics, Public Administration. One of these areas may be taken outside the Department of Political Science and should reflect a cohesive concentration of study (e.g. Public Administration). The PhD candidate will take comprehensive examinations in both areas.
All Ph.D. candidates must complete a 24 hour dissertation designed in accordance with the candidate's career objectives.
One of the strongest features of the public policy program is its emphasis on quantitative analysis. One study of research methods requirements at research universities reported that West Virginia University ranked among the top 10 schools in the nation in the number of methods courses required of doctoral students in political science. In part, this ranking reflects the fact that one of the Ph.D. options in the department emphasizes public policy studies, and in part, the fact that the faculty are strongly committed to training methodologically and statistically competent researchers and policy analysts. Such training allows West Virginia University graduates to compete effectively in the job market and to be prepared to apply these skills in actual job situations.
The research methods sequence for doctoral students consists of P.S. 300, P.S. 400, P.S. 401, and P.S. 491 Adv. Study in Selected Research Methods Topics, and for Policy Analysis students an additional methods elective; for M.A. students, P.S. 300, P.S. 400, and P.S. 401. Since all the methods courses, with the exception of P.S. 300 assume a working knowledge of elementary statistics, entering students must either provide evidence of prior statistical training (i.e., completion--at a grade of C or better--of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics) or take Statistics 311 during their first semester of study. Since Statistics 311 is a prerequisite to other methods courses, it does not count towards fulfillment of degree requirements.
If a student needs to take a course in statistics, it is desirable, though not required, that he or she enroll in Statistics 311 in the summer prior to the beginning of the Fall Semester. This will allow for the proper sequencing of courses in the first semester of graduate study. When this is not possible, the student should anticipate some difficulty in completing all course work in four semesters (M.A.) and eight semesters (Ph.D.).
Under some circumstances, General Political Science PhD students may substitute an alternate methods course for the fourth departmental research methods course (P.S. 491), with the approval of a majority of the student's committee. Students desiring an additional outside methods elective may also substitute an approved course for the fifth course in one of his or her substantive areas.
Comprehensive written and oral Ph.D. examinations are administered at the completionof the candidate's formal course work. Three examinations are given, one each in the following areas:
| Public Policy Analysis Option | General Political Science Option |
| (1) Public Policy, (General Analysis) (2) Policy Research Methods (3) Substantive Policy Field |
(1) Public Policy, (General Analysis) (2) Area of Specialization I (3) Area of Specialization II |
Comprehensive examinations are scheduled in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.
Successful completion of the PhD comprehensives also will result in the award of an MA degree.
All doctoral students must complete a dissertation designed in accordance with the candidate's career objectives. The initial dissertation topic and research design must be approved by the faculty committee, chaired by the candidate's dissertation advisor. Members of the committee will be selected in consultation with the candidate and the Director of Graduate Studies. Although work on the dissertation does not begin formally until after the successful completion of comprehensive examinations, it is desirable for doctoral students to begin early planning for the dissertation. Early planning and consultation, both as to topic and research design, and committee membership, enhances the probability of completion without major problems.
The prospectus must be completed and formally defended before a dissertation committee within three months following the successful completion of the comprehensive exams. The prospectus is a research design which acts as an informal contract between the student and the dissertation committee to clarify the dissertation's nature and scope.
One of the most important professional activities within the department is the Graduate-Faculty Colloquium. The colloquium consists of an on-going series of speakers, seminars, research presentations, and workshops designed to encourage professional development and the lively exchange of ideas among graduate students and faculty. The interactive format of the colloquium encourages this exchange of ideas. Colloquia are scheduled periodically by the Colloquium Committee and held in the Seminar Room (Room 306E). Attendance is mandatory at all sessions, unless excused by the Director of Graduate Studies.
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